Kabul mosque attack: 20 dead in Afghanistan

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Story highlights

• At least 20 people killed and 50 injured in attack by bomber, gunmen, official says
• Attack happens during Friday prayers at Shiite mosque in Kabul

The attack began early Friday afternoon when one of three attackers blew himself up at the gate of the Imam Zaman Mosque as worshippers were attending Friday prayers, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish. The remaining attackers stormedthe mosque and fired on security forces.

Authorities killed the gunmen after a nearly four-hour firefight, Danish said.

At least 20 people have died, and 50 others were injured, according to Ismail Kawosi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health. Earlier, officials said two police officers were among the dead.

ISIS claimed responsibility, saying in a statement posted by its Amaq News Agency that suicide bombers from the group attacked the mosque.

It's at least the second time this month that ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting Shiite worshippers in Afghanistan.

The terror group also said it was behind a dual suicide blast at a mosque in the western city of Herat on August 1. That attack killed more than 30 people as they gathered for evening prayers, according to local officials.

CNN's Ehsan Popalzai reported from Kabul, while CNN's James Masters wrote from London. CNN's Matt Rehbein and Roba Alhenawi contributed to this report.

Read More: Kabul mosque attack: 20 dead in Afghanistan

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